Hot!
President Akufo-Addo Advocates for Stronger Africa-Korea Partnership at 2024 Summit
The 2024 Korea-Africa Summit, held in Seoul, Korea, began today with a powerful call for deeper collaboration and mutual growth from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana.
Addressing a distinguished audience, including Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and other Heads of State and Government, President Akufo-Addo outlined a vision of shared growth, sustainability, and solidarity under the summit’s theme, “The Future We Make Together.”
In his remarks, President Akufo-Addo emphasised the longstanding relationship between Ghana and Korea, established nearly fifty years ago in 1977.
“Korea has proven to be a reliable partner and dependable friend of Ghana,” he stated, highlighting the economic, cultural, and political exchanges that have benefited both nations.
The Ghanaian leader praised the collaborative spirit that has characterised this partnership and expressed hope for its continued strength. President Akufo-Addo identified three critical pillars for the future of Africa-Korea relations: shared growth, sustainability, and solidarity.
He underscored the importance of economic collaboration, noting Africa’s abundant natural resources and youthful population as key assets.
“By fostering trade, investment, and innovation, we can create a relationship of synergy that benefits both regions,” he said.
He pointed to significant progress in economic cooperation, with increased trade volumes and successful joint ventures in manufacturing, agriculture, and information technology.
However, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged that more work is needed to remove barriers to trade, enhance infrastructure, and promote knowledge exchange to unlock the full potential of this partnership.
Addressing the global climate crisis, President Akufo-Addo called for sustainable practices to protect the environment and promote renewable energy. He praised Korea’s leadership in green technology and sustainable development, urging Africa to leverage these innovations.
“This is not merely an environmental imperative; it is an economic opportunity that can drive long-term growth and stability,” he asserted.
The President emphasised the need for global solidarity, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global challenges. He highlighted the importance of supporting one another to ensure collective resilience.
President Akufo-Addo referenced Korea’s recent trilateral meeting with Japan and China, noting its significance for Africa. Strengthened relations among these economic powerhouses, he said, should lead to increased investment, new markets for African products, and technology transfer.
President Akufo-Addo also focused on the potential of innovation and technology to drive sustainable development. He called for collaboration in research and development, advancing digital literacy, and promoting entrepreneurship to harness the benefits of the fourth industrial revolution.
Concluding his speech, President Akufo-Addo expressed confidence in the future of Africa-Korea relations.
“The future we make together should be one of shared growth, sustainability, and solidarity,” he declared.
He urged both regions to seize the moment to deepen their collaboration and build a brighter, more prosperous future.
The 2024 Korea-Africa Summit continues over the coming days, with various sessions aimed at strengthening ties and exploring new avenues for cooperation. Leaders and delegates from both regions are expected to engage in meaningful dialogues to advance their shared goals.
Hot!
Youth urged to take proactive stance on ozone depletion
•Mr Joseph Amankwah, first counting from, some officials from EPA and UNDP in group picture with the student
Mr Joseph Amankwah, the Director of Ozone Layer and Climate Change at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has urged the youth to take a proactive stance on issues related to ozone depletion, emphasising that their future would be most affected by its consequences.
Speaking during a student engagement event at the Ghana Secondary School (GHANASS) in Koforidua, he highlighted the critical role young people played in tackling climate-related challenges.
Mr Amankwah explained that human activities, such as the use of certain chemicals, were significantly contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer and driving climate change.
He said it was important to educate the youth on these issues, encouraging them to share this knowledge with their families to foster a broader understanding and active participation in climate action.
He urged the education sector to integrate lessons on the ozone layer, the causes of its depletion, and its links to climate change into the curriculum.
The event, organised by the EPA in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was designed to foster environmental awareness and promote a sense of responsibility among young people.
Mr Amankwah noted that ozone layer depletion was affecting everyone, including children, as it alters weather patterns and threatens the natural environment.
He highlighted the need for young people to develop ‘green skills’ to adapt to the challenges of climate change and to understand ways to combat it.
He added that World Ozone Day, observed every September, would focus on youth engagement in environmental issues, to help them understand the long-term consequences of ozone depletion and climate change.
Mr Amankwah also discussed the harmful impact of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a major chemical contributor to ozone depletion.
He explained that household appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners were common sources of CFC emissions in Ghana.
Many uncertified technicians work on these appliances, often releasing harmful chemicals into the atmosphere due to improper handling, he noted.
To address this, he urged appliance repairers to obtain proper certification and training, emphasising that unqualified repairs not only harm the environment but also endangered public health.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman,
Koforidua
Hot!
Small-scale miners schooled on health hazards of mining with mercury
Mr Lovelace Sarpong (right) addressing the participants
Some Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners in the Ashanti and Central regions have been sensitised on the potential health dangers humans are exposed to with the use of mercury in gold processing.
The sensitisation which was organised by PlanetGOLD Ghana project was to raise awareness about the negative impacts on the use of mercury in mining activities.
According to the PlanetGOLD Ghana Project Coordinator, Mr Lovelace Sarpong, the use of mercury in artisanal small-scale mining pose health challenges that affects the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys; and may be fatal.
Some Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) that benefited from the exercise were Amansie Central, Asante Akim North, Amansie South, Amansie West, Bekwai, and Adansi North in the Ashanti Region, and Upper Denkyira East (Dunkwa-on-Offin) and Upper Denkyira West (Diaso) in the Central Region.
Additionally, he said inorganic salts of mercury were corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested.
He stated that the PlanetGOLD Project has conducted several initiatives to raise awareness on reducing mercury exposure among artisanal and small-scale gold mining actors in the country.
It was to promote mercury-free mining practices in line with Ghana’s obligations under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, support the formalisation of the ASGM sector while advocating the adoption of the CRAFT Code and responsible supply chains, and raise awareness on the availability of mercury-free alternatives.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Area Head for Konongo, Mr Dawood Abbas, underscored the importance of government’s environmental regulations and EPA’s role in ensuring compliance within the ASGM sector.
He encouraged miners to prioritise environmental stewardship to gain community trust and secure a Social License to Operate (SLO) and reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to enforce its commitments under the Minamata Convention.
BY Cecilia Lagba Yada
